The Brahmaputra Basin

The landscape of upper Brahmaputra basin (Tibet, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh) is formed by the collision of Indian and Eurasian Plate. The colliding plates have built the highest mountain range in the world while, at the same time, shaping the land downstream (Assam valley and Bangladesh). The waste products of this collision, sediments eroded from permanently rising and highly unstable mountain slopes, were transported downhill through a multitude of rivers and started accumulating along the foothills 45 million years ago. The impact of the collision is so great that both plates still converge at a rate of around cm per year and still continue building the landscape. As the Himalayas condition the monsoon patterns, extreme rainfall takes place creating some of the biggest rivers in the world, the Brahmaputra being one of them. Assam is situated in front of the eastern foothills formed by this plate collision in an area of main disturbances and fault lines where from the Brahmaputra starts. The mountain reach here, also called Eastern Syntaxis, is an area of highest uplift, steepest slopes and with world-wide highest observed surface erosion rates of upto 14 mm per year.

The Brahmaputra basin is unevenly distributed between four countries. While China covers half of the basin area of around 580,000 km² it only provides little more than one quarter of the total annual volume of water of around 600 Bm³ (or Km³). The reason being the high mountain range of the Himalayas, which block the annual monsoon movement to the north, resulting in only a few 100mm of rainfall over Tibet. In contrast India and Bhutan cover about 40% of the basin area but provides around two third of the annual volume of water.

Brahmaputra in India

Floods and their disastrous impact on the bankline plains adjoining the rivers and on the drainage channels have vexed effect on civilization since time immemorial and constitutes one of the major natural calamities faced by India almost every year resulting in the substantial loss of life , large scale damage to property, disruption of community lifelines, besides entailing untold misery to the millions.

The North Eastern Region of India comprising the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur Mizuram, Tripura and Nagaland is a huge sprawling land mass made up of extensive countless hills and mountainous terrain that rises in the north to the snow caped heights of the Himalaya and is the playground of the mighty river Brahmaputra regarded as one of the largest rivers of the world with its tributaries. This region accounts for nearly40% of the total water resources of the country and this bounty of natural resources is still unharnessed. The tentative assessment of this dynamic resource in the North Eastern part of India is about 60 million hectare meters. The flood scenario of the Assam state and the ravages brought by the recurrent flood havoc created by the mighty Brahmaputra and Borak river system is the major deterrent to the development of this region. For Assam the Brahmaputra and the Borak rivers represent the very essence of the life of its people as rivers which contain so much of promise and which can yield such rich dividends if only we can properly plan and utilize its potentials.

Complete immunity from flood or absolute ‘Flood Control’ is utopian in concept and economically not viable. The concept of flood management aims at taking such planned measures as it will ensure profitable and economic utilization of the flood plains and the water resources for the benefit of the mankind, while simultaneously ensuring that during the periods of high flood there is no severe damage to the extent possible.

The Assam plains benefit and suffer from the dominant Brahmaputra River, classified as one of the mightiest and most complex rivers in the world. Even though it ranks only 22^nd in terms of basin size, it ranks fourth in terms of average annual discharge, placing it amongst the highest in the world in terms of discharge per unit area. On top, it ranks second in terms of sediment load. Among all major rivers, the lower Brahmaputra flows not only through some of the densest populated area but also through the poorest regions of the world. The fertile flood plains of the river which develop agriculture produce with abundance of water to feed its people.

National Convention of Civil Engineers

The Institution of Engineers (India) is the largest professional body in the world, with more than 6 lakh Corporate and non corporate members spread over length and breadth of the country, with 100 State local centres and about a dozen of overseas chapters.

It was registered under Companies Act 1913 in the city of Madras (NOW Chennai) on 13 September 1920 and on 13 August 1935, by His Majesty the King and Emperor George V, granted the coveted Royal Charter. At present it has 15 engineering divisions and Civil Engineering division is the largest. The Institution of Engineers (India) represents India in many prestigious global forums like : World Energy Council (WEC), World Federation of Engineering Organization (WFEO) Common Wealth  Engineering Council (WEC),  International Federation of Prestress ed Concrete (FIB), World Mining Congress (WMC), World Mobility Forum (WMF) and many more International bodies of repute.

The Assam State Centre of the Institution of Engineers (India) is holding the 26^th National Convention of Civil Engineers at Guwahati during 09-10(Saturday and Sunday) October 2010, with focal theme “ Emerging Trends in Construction Technology : Challenges and Future Direction” , which we consider of supreme importance and crucial in view of burgeoning construction and infrastructure development. It is equally relevant to different service organizations under Government and Non government sector, to keep pace with recent advances in Construction Industry in all sectors of modern construction era of 21^st Century there have been extensive uses of heavy construction technology and equipment. Construction of environment friendly green building with eco-friendly materials, retrofilling and rehabilitation of old and heritage buildings and effective use of Information technology in construction engineering. All these issues and others will be effectively addressed through various articles and presentations in the Seminars through the nine sub-themes viz:

1. Construction of Earthquake Resistant Building with special reference to North East India.
2. Modern Tunneling technology in young geological formations.
3. Construction of hydraulic structure in seismic zone.
4. Modern construction technology in Railways, bridges and roads engineering with special reference to hilly terrain.
5. Construction management techniques.
6. Use Geo-tube and Geo-textile in embankment construction.
7. Retrofitting and Rehabilitation.

Badungduppa

Badungduppa

Badungduppa was established in 1998 at Goalpara District of Assam with the initiative of theatre lovers of Rabha Community. It is the only Rabha Tribal theatre group activity engaged in making theatre of contemporary meaning using the tribalism as spring board. Under the artistic leadership of Sukrachajya Rabha the the group has so far produced twelve plays in the last ten years. Tikhar, Changkoy, Rupalism, Maider aru Fandi, Lovita, Madaiah muchi and To’paidom are the best known production. The group has toured and performed their plays at various districts and cites like Dudhnoi, Barpeta, Sibsagar, Guwahati, Manipur, New Delhi etc. under the scheme of young Directors’ festival of Central Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, the group performed “Rupalism” of Jyoti Prasad Agarwal directed by Sukrachajya Rabha on 7th Jan, 2004.

About the Director :

Sukrachajya Rabha is one of the most active theatre worker of Assam. He is the founder director of Badungduppa, a tribal theatre group of Assam. His most remarkable plays are Rupalism (In Rabha Language, Writer Jyotiprasad Agarwala), Madaiah the cobbler (In Rabha language, writer H.S. Shiva Prakash), Hati aru Fandi(In Bodo Language writer Munin Bhuyan), Lavita (In Nepali language, writer Jyotiprasad Agarwala & To’paidom (Script Sukrachajya Rabha) he performed “Rupalism of Jyotiprasad Agarwala under the scheme of young directors’ festival of Sangeet Natak Akademi in 17th Jan. 2004.

In 2003 Sukrachajya Rabha met H. Kanhailal and influced by Kanhailal’s theatre. Their relationship gradually deloped into a Guru-Shishya relation. For two years he was an apprentice under Guru Kanhailal at Manipur Kalakhetra, Imphal. Now he is independently working as director and trying to promote cultural heritage of Rabha community as well Community through theatre art.

Synopsis of the Play : -

To Paidom is based on a Rabha Folk-tale. The word “To” means bird and “To’paidom” literary means “the bird named paidom”. It is used as a symbol of evil spirits. In the story a Mother lived with her five sons. One day the mother was collecting vegetables from their kitchen garden and saw dropping of a strange unknown bird all over the vegetables. The mother cleaned the vegetable properly and cooked a traditional curry (Bamsikhali) from it. The curry was extremely delicious. After knowing the facts behind the curry, the four elder sons decided to go after the bird, assuming its meat will be really testy or can even make them immortal. However the wise younger brother and mother forbade them but they beat up the younger brother and went after the bird.

The bird a symbol of evil external influence completely engulfed the brothers, making them dance into her rhythm and ultimately consumed them completely. Meanwhile the mother had a dream and forced the youngest brother to go after his brother. The son obeyed and saved his brothers. However one of the brothers struck the youngest. Other brothers reached home and lied to mother that they have not met the youngest. But regaining consciousness, the youngest son came home and killed the eldest brother. The story shows how an unknown external force could destroy the tranquility for a society and ends with this tragic note.

First Assamese

Looking for some general knowledge question on Assam? Here today I am trying to give you some good information on the persons as first Assamese from Assam.

1. First Assamese movie                           :           Joymati
2. First Assamese colour movie                 :           Bhaiti, 1972
3. First bridge over Brahmaputra              :           Saraighat Bridge (1962)
4. First Chief Minister of Assamese           :           Gopinath Bordoloi
5. First Daily news paper in Assam           :           Dainik Batori (1935)
6. First English news paper in Assam         :           Assam Tribune (1946)
7. First Assamese Ph.D                            :           Maidul Islam Bora
8. First Assamese Governor                      :           Bisnuram Medhi (Madras, 1957)
9. First Assamese Graduate                      :           Anundaram Barooah
10. First Assamese ICS                              :           Anundaram Barooah
11. First Assamese President                      :           Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
12. First University in Assam                       :           Gauhati University (1947)
13. First Assamese Woman IAS                 :           Parul Das

14.  No. of Airports in Assam                    :          7 ( Guwahati, Tezpur, Silchar, North

Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Jorhat,  Dhubri)

15. Bridges over River Brahmaputra           :           Saraighat, Nara-Narayan Setu, Kalia

Bhomora and Bogibeel Bridge (Construction Going on)

16.  First Assamese International

award Winner Film                               :           Sagaralai Bahudoor (Directed By Jahnu Barua)

17. Sate Bird of Assam                                 :           Deo Hanh
18. Sate Flower of Assam                           :           Orchid (Fox tail)
19. Sate Emblem of Assam                         :           One-horned Indian Rhino
20. Sate Animal of Assam                            :           One-horned Indian Rhino
21. Young Bismilah Khan Award

Winner 2010(Sangit And

Natak Academi)                                   :           Sukrasarjya Rabha

22. RTI Award 2010                                    :           Akhil Gogoi

Lower Subansiri Dam and its Salient Features

Lower Subansiri Dam and its Salient Features

I already have discussed about the Subansiri Dam in my earlier blog. The project is being constructed with Rs 7500 crore and 30 per cent work had been completed. The actual construction of the dam will begin this year as the American engineering company, involved in the world’s biggest hydel project–the three gorge dam of China–is being commissioned for the project.

Subansiri Lower Hydel Project is the biggest undertaken in India so far and is a run-of-river scheme on Subansiri. The estimated annual energy generation from the project is 7421 mu in a 90 per cent dependable year.

SALIENT FEATURES

Reservoir

FRL                                                                 :           EL 205 M

Min Reservoir Level                                         :           EL 190 M

MDDL                                                             :           EL 181M

Gross Storage at El 205M, 190 M, 181M        :           1365/923/720 m cum

Area under submergence at FRL                       :           33.50 Km2

Dam Type                                                        :           Concrete Gravity

Top Elevation                                                   :           EL  210 M

Height of dam above River Bed Level              :           116 m

Spillway

Spillway opening number                                  :           9 Nos

Size                                                                  :           11.5 m x 14 m

Spillway discharge capacity                               :           37500 Cumecs

Power House                                      

Installed Capacity                                             :           2000MW (8X 250 MW)

Annual Energy Generation                                 :           7422 MU

SAFETY AND STABILITY OF DAM

NHPC has ensured safety & stability of dam by adopting following design measures

1.      The Stability of dam has been ensured for all statutory load        combinations by providing larger base width.

2.      Maximum base width for the dam is kept 170 m for 125m high dam (1.35 times of Dam height) whereas it is normally kept as 0.8 times of     Dam height.

3.      The dam has been designed for seismic parameters as approved by NCSDP.

4.      50m deep concrete cut off wall with cumulative length of 370m envisaged for the safety of Dam foundation.

5.      Concrete apron provided at the Toe of the Dam.

6.      Concrete cladding with cable anchors (30-35m long) provided for stability of dam abutements.

Flood Protection

•         Subansiri Lower Dam will have 09 spillways to pass the probable maximum flood of 37500 cumecs. 

•         The Project would help in flood control by regulated discharge of water in river. During flood period the reservoir will be operated 15 m below the FRL having flood cushion 442 M.Cum.

DOWNSTREAM FLOW

·        To maintain a minimum discharge of 300 Cumecs during lean period by running one machine for 24 hours.

·        Power generation capacity of Subansiri Lower Project is based on design of generators installed at Project i.e. 250 MW with configuration of 8 number of units to meet the peaking requirement as per Techno Economic Clearance.

·        Being a policy matter, this is to be decided by CEA/MOP depending upon the power requirement of the beneficiary states.

·        Machines are operated as per the requirement received from the Load dispatch centre.

·        Nevertheless, NHPC will have no objection to operate one machine on part load for 24 hours if agreed by CEA/MOP, ASEB and other beneficiary states

N.B. All the information’s are collected from various sources.

Lower Subansari Dam of assam

Lower Subansari Dam of Assam

NHPC Limited is a Govt. of India Enterprise and was incorporated under the companies act, 1956 in November of the year 1975. NHPC Limited is in full form National Hydroelectric Power Corporation. It was incorporated in the year 1975 with an initial authorised share capital of Rs. 200 crores for Hydro Power development in central sector. Later on NHPC expanded its objects to include other sources of energy like Geothermal, Tidal, Wind etc. Initially, following 3 projects under execution by Central Hydroelectric Control Board were entrusted to NHPC:

–        Loktak (105 MW), Manipur

–        Baira Siul (180 MW), H.P.

–        Salal –I (345 MW), J&K

The present authorised share capital of the corporation is about Rs. 15000 crores with 14 power stations (5,295 MW) under operation & 10 projects (4,502 MW) under various stages of construction. NHPC is a ‘MINI RATNA’, “Schedule A” Company 86.4% owned by government of India.

Now the NHPC Limited is working on a mega dam Project on river Subansiri in the border area of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. This Lower Subansari Dam of 2,000 Mega-Watt is in under construction. The 116 m concrete gravity dam measured from the river bed is on the river Subansari in India.The surface powerhouse will contain 8 units of Francis turbines of 250 MW each. When constructed it will be the largest hydroelectric project in India. This project is scheduled to be completed by approx 2012.

“Lower Subansari Dam” Project Back Ground

•         Investigation of Subansiri Dam Project were initiated in the year 1955. However, detailed investigations started since 1976.

•         Brahmaputra Board submitted the Feasibility Report in April 1983.

•         Agencies involved in investigations were CWC, GSI, BFCC, CSMRS, NEHARI & CWPRS.

•         A 257m high Rockfill dam was envisaged at the proposed site in the Feasibility Report which was subsequently reduced to 116m high dam.

•         Project was transferred to NHPC in May 2000, along with investigations details by Brahmaputra Board.

•         NHPC retained the same site for the dam as proposed by Brahmaputra Board and submitted DPR in June, 2001.

According to the office source the project work started in January 2005 after obtaining all statutory and mandatory clearances from concerned bodies of Government of India and NOC from Govt. of Assam and Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh.

Subansiri Dam

Subansiri Dam

These days the construction of a mega dam on river Subansiri in the border area of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam is heating up the air of entire Assam. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is erecting the dam for the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydro Project. A portion of this big dam will be constructed in Arunachal Pradesh and another part will be constructed in Assam side. It is situated right in the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. Experts from various part of the Nation have warned of irreparable damage to the Brahmaputra floodplain in Assam besides harming aquatic life forms if the project is commissioned.

Professor T. Shivaji Rao a noted environmentalist and expert from Center for Environment Studies, GITAM University and Expert, Cloud seeding project in Andhra Pradesh has demanded re-design and reduction in height of the 115-metre Subansiri dam in Assam to minimise its adverse environmental impacts. According to him the 2000-W hydel project is fraught with danger as this dam is located in a highly seismic zone and it may finally collapse and which will results the destruction in downstream.

As per international standards, the Spillway Design flood must be at least 2-3 times this historical flood amounting to at least 50,000 cumec. Even then the dam remains under- designed from the structural safety angle because the seismic coefficient used for the design of the dam is 0.4 as against the anticipated peak value of 1.0. at this condition the will not stand for long as it the dam is going to burst and cause flash floods that will wipe out many villages and towns of downstream. Again we all know that the seismic zone of Gujarat and seismic zone of Assam is very different from each other. So it is possible to construct a dam in Gujarat, but not in Assam (specially over Subansiri). 

Bihu of Assam

Bihu

Bihu is the main festival of the Assamese People. It is the National Festival of Assam. Assam, one of the most beautiful states of India, situated at North-East India known for its tea gardens, One horn Rhino, lush green forests and the mighty Brahmaputra river. Irrespective of class and caste, Bihu is observed by all. It is a festival that transcends all religious and class barriers bringing people together in a free and uninhabited manner. The word Bihu comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Vishu’. With the passage of time, this festival has been adjusting itself at different ages, taking into consideration the changed situation of a particular age.

The Bihu of Assam denotes a set of three different largely secular festivals and they are Rongaali Bihu or Bohaag Bihu, Kati Bihu or Kongaali Bihu and the last but not the least Magh Bihu or Bhogaali Bihu’. Though they owe their origins to ancient rites and practices they have taken definite urban features and have become popular festivals in urban and commercialized milieus in the recent decades. Bihu is also used to imply Bihu dance and Bihu folk songs.

Rongali Bihu

‘Rongaali Bihu’ also known as Bohag Bihu (in Bodo language it call as “Baisagu”) and the most important Bihu of all the three, is celebrated in the month of Bohaag (around of April), the first month of the Assamese calendar) and the coming of Spring. This marks the first day of the Hindu solar calendar and is also observed in Bengal, Kerala, Manipur, Nepal, Orissa, Punjab and Tamil Nadu though called by different names. It marks the advent of the Assamese New Year. It's a time of merriment and feasting and continues, in general, for seven days. . Bihu Dance and Bihu Songs are the main features of this Bihu. The first day of the Bihu is known as ‘Goru Bihu’ and is reserved for cattle rites, on which day the cows and bulls are given a ritual bath with ‘halodhi’, ‘maah’ with the accompanying song "Lao Kha, Bengena Kha, Bochore Bochore Badhi Ja". This is followed by manuh (human) bihu on April 15, the New Year Day of Assam. This is the day of getting cleaned up, wearing new cloths and celebrating and getting ready for the New Year with fresh vigor. The third day is Gosai (Gods) bihu; statues of Gods, worshiped in all households are cleaned and worshiped asking for a smooth new year.

Kongali Bihu

Kongali Bihu has a different flavour as there is less merriment and the atmosphere has a sense of constrain and solemnity. Unlike the other two this Bihu is very simple and quiet Bihu without any funfare. But this Bihu is very important among the Assamese people. It is celebrated in the mid-October(7^th month of the Assamese calendar). This Bihu is also known Kati-Bihu. The Bihu marks silent prayer in the form of lighting of earthen lamps in the corp field and in the Gohain Ghar. The Bodo people light lamps at the foot of the siju (Euphorbia) tree. This Bihu is also associated with the lighting of akaxi gonga or akaxbonti, lamps at the tip of a tall bamboo pole, to show the souls of the dead the way to heaven, a practice that is common to many communities in Asia and Europe

Magh or Bhogali Bihu

Bhogali Bihu comes from the word Bhog that is eating and enjoyment. Bhogaali Bihu is celebrated around mid-anuary, immediately after the traditional paddy cultivation is harvested. It marks the end of harvesting season and there is a lot of feasting and eating during this period. As the granaries are full at this Bihu time, there is a lot of feasting and eating during this period. The eve of the day of the Bihu is called uruka. It is the last day of pausa, menfolk. Generally in this Bihu ypung people go to field and build Bhela Ghar or Meji Ghar (a temporary thatched houses (made with thatch and dry plantation leaves/ trunk) and the Meji, the most important thing for the night. During Uruka an overnight community function is held in Bhela Ghar or Meji Ghar. During the night, they prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere

Boys roam about in the dark night stealing firewood and vegetables for fun. The next early morning they take a bath and burn the main Meji and the Bhela Ghar. People gather around the Meji and do the Prayer and throw Pithas (rice cakes) and betel nuts to it while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the God of Fire and mark the end of the harvesting year. Thereafter they come back home carrying pieces of half burnt firewood for being thrown among fruit trees to get favourable results. All the trees in the compound are tied to bamboo strips or paddy stems. Different types of sports like Buffalo-fight, Egg-fight, Cock-fight, Nightingale-fight etc. are held throughout the day. A variety of traditional Assamese sweets and cakes like the Laru, Pitha etc. are prepared on the occasion in every home. The day after Uruka people go out for visiting relatives and friends to convey and exchange the Bihu greetings; the guests, neighbours and relatives are treated with the snacks prepared for the occasion.

Fwidwna

Fwidwna

Fwidwna, the hit bodo album is a fine musical video album made in the banner of TCS (Traditional Cultural Society) from North-East India. This Music video is launched in 2005 at Bhergaon, Udalguri District of BTC Assam.  It’s a Bodo-Tribe music dance video album produced by Montu Swargiary in the banner of “Traditional Cultural Society”. It is there first video album towards the bodo film industry. They are trying very hard to make the album popular among the common people of Assam. This album is marketed by Kishore of Baleng Baleng Communication of Rajgarh, Guwahati. Here in this album they are trying to focus the traditional dress, dance and their culture and in some extend they are succeeded in their aim. The video of the album was shooted in very beautiful locations of Assam and Meghalaya states. One can get some knowledge about the Bodo-Tribe from this album. From the link below you can see one of the music video from Fwidwna. This musical video was directed by Montu swargiary and Hemandra Kachari, choreographed by Montu Sawrgiary, Ghanashyam, Hemandra Kachari, makeup by Minati Kachari, Camera by Riju, Pulin Gogoi, lights by Bikram Soni.

BODO TRIBE

The Bodo

 The Bodo

Assam the centre of the North-East India is the settling ground of many civilizations. They have come here in Assam through different routes as it was connected by land to many states and country. The largest population of Assam is belongs to Bodo-Kachari group. The Bodo-Kachari is divided into 18 ethnic sub-groups. Some of these sub-groups are Bodo, Mech, Dimasa, Hojai, Sonowal, Mishing, Thengal etc. the Bodo-Kachari group of Assam speaks in Tibeto-Burman languages. They were first classified by S. Endle as Kacharis. Bodo of “Bodo-Kachari” is derived from Bod means Tibet and Kachari is derived from Kassar meaning the foothills of the Himalayas. They have reached in Brahmaputra valley of Assam via Tibet and settled in the foothills of the Eastern Himalaya. They spread all over the foothills of the Eastern Himalayan range, which includes most of the areas of North East India, North Bengal and parts of Nepal and Bangladesh. Among them the Mech settled in western Assam, the Dimasa and Hojai to the Cachar Hills, the Bodo in central Assam and Sonowal and Thengal in the Eastern part of the Brahmaputra River. Some of the 18 ethnic sub-groups within the Bodo-Kacharis group have been hinduized (e.g. Koch, Sarania) and some of them have developed separate identities (e.g. Garo). Major tribes of Assam earn their livelihood through agriculture and by selling their handicrafts. Different types of Tribes are famous for variety of handicrafts. Some are famous for handloom and some have mastered in metal of pottery works. Their languages too differ according to their place of origin.

The Bodo: -

The Bodo represents one of the largest ethnic and linguistic groups of Brahmaputra valley. Bodo people were one of the earliest tribes who move to Assam. Today they constitute a large part of Assam population. According to the 1991 census, there were 1.2 million Bodos in Assam which makes for 5.3% of the population in the state. They are not restricted to any specific area and are found in almost all parts of Assam. The Bodos are recognized as a plains tribe in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Language: -

They have their own specific language known as Bodo (pronounced as Boro) language. The Bodo language is derived from Tibeto-Burmese family of languages. At first the Bodos used Roman script and Assamese script but recently they have adopted Devangiri Script. According to some scholars, the Bodo language had a script of its own called Deodhai.

Lifestyle: -

The Bodo are very hard laboured people. They are mainly engaged in cultivation. It is believed that the Bodos have introduced the rice cultivation, tea plantation, pig and poultry farming and silkworm rearing in the North-east region. It is seen that the Bodos are very self dependent, most of the things of day today life, they use to produce of their own. Bodo girls are very good weaver, they learn to weave from young age. Weaving has become a known culture of Bodos. They weave their own Dokhnas( a traditional dress of Bodo women), shawls, Gamucha (sort of towels), Urnai (a kind of muffler) etc. The Bodos are expert in craftsmen in bamboo products. Traditionally the Bodos are non-vegetarians. Rice is the primary food of the Bodos, besides this they like fish, meat, roasted fish, dried fish. Pork is very popular among the Bodo. They do not take beef, even killing or injuring cows is regarded as an offence in the Bodo society. However, the Christians among the Bodos take beef. Samuk (a kind of snail) and Crabs are also very popular among the Bodo. They have weakness for rice-beer known as Zumai (Zu means wine, Mai means rice) which is harmless. This is mainly served at the time of marriage, at Baisagu festival and at the time of planting and harvesting.

Umananda Temple

Umananda Temple

Umananda Temple, the very beautiful magnificent Peacock Island is a Shiva temple situated in the middle of the mighty Brahmaputra, near Kachari DC court in Guwahati, Assam. This Island is known as Bhasmasala Mountain. The temple was built during the Ahom Kingdom in Assam, 1594.

When you go there and visit the temple you will see the rock-cut figures of various Hindu God and Goddesses that adorn the rock walls of the temple which are really very magnificent and eye catching. These all work is specimens of exquisite Assamese craftsmanship. They also have a historical and legendary legacy.

From the main land both from Uttar Guwahati and Guwahati, country boats ferry visitors to this beautiful island. The State Tourism Department and Assam Inland Water Transport arranges the ferries for the visitors. The Umananda Temple is situated in the entire Bhasmasala Mountain. People from all across the country and also from other parts of the world are comes here to this Island to see Island Temple. Visitors come here to feel the climate of devotion and also experience the environment of tranquility pervading through this place.

Along with other parts of the country, Shivratri is being observed at Umananda with traditional religious pomp and gaiety. During Shivratri a huge number of people from all parts of the country and also from other parts of the World come to visit this temple. Devotees offer milk and flowers to their God Shiva for Puja. This festival stands for the “Grand Night” dedicated for the worship of Shiva. The State Tourism Department and Assam Inland Water Transport arranges a special transportation during this Shivratri for the devotees to attend the Shivartri at the Umananda Temple.

 The main deity of this temple is Umananda, another name of Shiva the God of Hindu. However, besides Shiva there are also other temples of Ganesha, Surya, Parvati and Vishnu and his ten incarnations. Here in this temple you will see a large number of statues of various God and Goddesses of Hindu. These status are lying everywhere in the Island. You will feel this is the most beautiful Island of this earth. People believe that worshiping here on the new moon day, when it falls on Monday, brings the greatest bliss. So, come here and get blessings.

Friends Picture

Friends Picture

The Friends Picture of Guwahati the main city of Assam going to organize the most entertaining, glamorous film festival in 2010. The festival is call as “Guwahati International Short Film Festival”. According to the source the first phase of the film festival will be held in 10^th January 2010 and the second phase will be held in 24^th December of 2010. Friends Picture call for the submission of short films from worldwide to be participate in the Guwahati International Short Film Festival. For more detail visit http://friendspicture.co.cc/

ASSAM BLAST

ASSAM BLAST

30^th October is one of the most miserable day of 2008. This day has brought misery to so many lives. In the morning no one has ever thought that this day will be the last day of his/her life. Many have just begun to start their daily work without any sense what is going to happen in their life. From the labour class to the officer level every one was busy to do something new with the new day. Before coming out from their house so many promises they made to their families or to their near and dear ones or even to him self. But they never thought that, that day death is walking along with them, following them from the very early morning. Suddenly one by one 13 serial blasts rocked the entire Assam. So many people lost their lives and so many injured. This is the gift of some ill mantled persons who don’t want to see the world in progress, who hates the happiness of this world. They know only to bring chaotic situation, they know to bring miseries to others lives, they wants to turn this beautiful world in to battlefield. These are none other than the so called Terrorist. Though they have so many names but their mentality or actions are not towards good will of the society. Whatever they does we the common people are never satisfied with their actions.

Today we are living in 21^st century but after the incident that took place in different places on 30^th October, we don’t think that we are the people of this advanced century. This serial blasts has destroyed so many families lives, so many dreams, who will understand their miseries, their sadness, what they have lost. Above all there comes the politician, who believes themselves next to the God, are taking the situations as a golden chance to their sides. In every step they are thinking about their own profit. They have nothing to do with the common people’s lives, their sadness. They are trying to play with their emotions to the extreme level. Instead of taking the situations in their hands they are conspiring among themselves how to get rid of the situation and criticizing the other political parties. If we called them terrorist who play with blood of the common people then these politicians are not less than them. The only difference between the two is that the terrorist are playing the dirty games by hiding themselves and the politicians are doing openly just by wearing a clean and innocent mask but what lies behind the mask is known to every one.